Melbourne

While spending a week at Brendan's farm, we visited Melbourne for a day.  Brendan went to a legal meeting and I did some strolling and photographing.  I reckon I got the better end of the stick!

One of the famous graffiti lanes in Melbourne

This beautiful old building was in a shopping centre!  They obviously weren't allowed to knock it down so built the shopping centre around it.  If only they'd do the same thing with trees.

Synchronicity: Life is God's movie

In 2016, I woke up in a very elevated state similar in some ways with my elevated states of consciousness that I experienced during my "enlightened mania" experience in 2015.  The strong sense came over me again that life is unfolding perfectly and is a movie created, directed and experienced by God through each of us.  Life is God's movie and it is already in the can. I felt a wonderful sense of peaceful bliss at the thought.

I got out of bed, dressed and got onto a bus to go to the Spit Bridge to join some friends for a hike.  As I was driving, I received an email from Sharon giving me a link to online information about one of her favourite spiritual gurus; Paramahansa Yogananda. I explored the link to discover that "Life is God's movie" is one of his favourite metaphors.  

Later that day, I listened to a teaching by Mooji. In the talk, he too used the metaphor.  He said something along the lines of "It's all a movie. It's all just happening. Consciousness (God) is the great movie maker."

An hour or two later, an email arrived with a teaching from Scott Kiloby. In this teaching, Scott too used up the metaphor that life is a movie.

The next day, Sharon send me an email with a quote from Barry Long, a spiritual guru she admires. In it, he too used the metaphor that life is God's movie.

A couple of days later, I mentioned the "Life is God's movie" metaphor.  Yogi said "Wow, I've just read a book that contains that metaphor." He lent me the book by Merlyn Swan. She uses the metaphor including the quote: "The film of life is already in the can and all I can do is view one frame at a time. I have no choice or free will. I am a character playing a role, dancing the divine dance, the way God wants. Independence and volition are part of the illusion."  Merlyn Swan is a relatively unknown author and the chances for Yogi to be reading that book is very slim.

So, in short, I woke up with the express feeling and thought "Life is God's movie." Then in the space of only a few days, I came across this metaphor used expressly by 5 different spiritual teachers.  There was an immense sense of wonder at the synchronicity. It felt very meaningful.

Since, then, I have researched this metaphor extensively and as of 2022, I am writing a book about it.

Related

• Life is God's movie (on Wisdom Trove)

Millie's 1st birthday party

A fun doggie birthday party at the park.  Matt and Sharmista put on a great splash.  There were lots of doggies and Mack loved it as much as we did.  Lovely to share it with Sharon and Yogi.

Evening at Shushann's place

We had such a lovely evening  in Coogee last night including a gorgeous swim, some invigorating leaps and delicious food (including some mouth watering baklava and pear frangipane)  Also a beautiful group meditation.  I'm so blessed to have such incredibly special friends.

Getting into the leaping spirit.

Hi there beautiful friends

Thank you for such a beautiful evening last night.  It was so special - and delicious!  I enjoyed every minute. Thanks you again for having us, Shushann.  24 hours on and I'm still dreaming of the baklava!

Attached are some pics and videos of us leaping. You are all amazing leapers!  Joyous and graceful.

See you on Tues night,

From Sharon

Hi there beautiful ones,

I love these photos and videos! Thank you, Graeme. I've been laughing and in such joy watching us all jumping! So precious. What a fun and glorious evening we had. Thank you again each one of you precious beings.

With the love of Life, Sharon

From Yogi

Thanks Graeme!  I must be full of hot air - I'm the last one to come down.

I love Shushi's style in the one with Graeme - nearly went off the screen!  Graeme is like a true leap FROG & Sharon is elegant as ever.

Great stuff!

After Millie's party

Dear Graeme,

Thank you so much for inviting me to join your special, special blog. I've been so enjoying the little bits I've looked at just now, and will spend more time soon.

You are a dear man, and I enjoy getting to know you, and our friendship. I love your openness, profundity and joy, among so many other beautiful states and traits I observe and feel around you. I find with you an intense brightness and fineness that is rare. So thank you. Thank you for being you.

Life is good!

Sharon


Dear Sharon

Thank you for your beautiful, affirming words.

I've so enjoyed getting to know you too. The access you have to the light of your being and the way it radiates through you as joy, love, serenity, physical grace and healing attention is an enormous source of inspiration to me. Also the way you embrace life with such love and live it so deeply.  You are beautiful in so many ways.  I'm very grateful to Life for bringing you into my life and the lives of my dear, dear Eckhart friends.  I know they feel the same way.

I read a couple of quotes the other day that made me think of you because you personify them ...

I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.  Hafiz of Shiraz

The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.  Henri J. M. Nouwen

It isn't by getting out of the world that we become enlightened, but by getting into the world…by getting so tuned in that we can ride the waves of our existence and never get tossed because we become the waves.  Ken Kesey

Words are so wonderful aren't they? The way they point to truth.  And the way they create a platform into the chasm of the soul from where we can leap off into its depths where all words fall away.

Life is indeed good,
G


Dear Graeme,

Thank you, so much, for your deeply touching words, and beautiful quotes.

It is so beautiful to know what you perceive, as I can't really see how this unnameable reality I love and am reflects to others... I just am it, more and more. This is one of the true Graces of another who has the x-ray vision (as Barry sometimes described it) and the ability and will to communicate and reflect it back - helping it go even deeper. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

I am also so very grateful to Life for bringing you into my life, and the other dear Eckhart beings who are each so beautiful. I feel so blessed, and am loving this unfolding of love, wonder and sweetness that is occurring between and within each of us. All so indescribably beautiful! Oh God, this Life is so beautiful! It's sometimes hard to remain conscious within all the beauty... yet I do my best!
How beautifully you describe what occurs as words point to truth and then dissolve as I become that truth.

Yes, Life is so Good!!

Affirmation (2016)

Proud

• Rennovations, especially floor
• Such a lovely place. (blind lady)
• Mum "flabbergasted"
• Got Godfrey Hurst to find me floors
• Sharon "so bright, rare profundity, joy, leaps"
• Thank you Graeme for your courageous, timely decision.  Bev
• The plants

Yogi

• Great talk - you're a smart guy, not in your league! Thanks.

Rose

• I think this is on your path...yeah! I love your passion in recording the natural world, as you see it, in which you walk (and leap!). Hugs, Rose

Rennovations

• We are speechless and flabbergasted and so, so impressed! We had no idea you were so creative and had learned so much. Everything looks amazing and it is no wonder you are proud of your balconies and the garden. What a huge difference it has made. We would hardly recognize the place! Mike is sitting here saying "I am so impressed" over and over and "I can't believe what he has done". Well done! Xx  Mum & Mike
• Wow, Wow, Wow! It looks fantastic. Love all the colour and creativity. Can't wait to see it in person now!!! xx
• It’s so much lighter. Shamista
• You must be happy with how its come out. Amazing difference white makes.  Matt
• Elna: Loved plants, hanging garden idea, floor, so much work. Liked steps (no carpet!)
• Woman measuring house: Wow, such a lovely place. With all levels.
• Brendan “You’ve added to value."

Aimee

• The photos are so beautiful Graeme - you are really able to capture the essence of the beauty in nature.   So much diversity!
• Your photography is ever deepening. 

Sharon

• You are such a beautiful being, and I truly love how given to God, by Grace, thou art. I trust all is continuing to go well. I am with a deep sense of thee these last couple of days. It is a deeply bright and indescribably beautiful place.
• I'm just loving your photos, Graeme! And seeing you leaping and leaping and leaping all over the earth with your bright eyes and big smile... I've been glowing and laughing! So gorgeous.
• You know, there's such a beautiful, radiant, transparency in you these days.  
• You are a dear man, and I enjoy getting to know you, and our friendship. I love your openness, profundity and joy, among so many other beautiful states and traits I observe and feel around you. I find with you an intense brightness and fineness that is rare. So thank you. Thank you for being you.
• You are always so joyful, bright and giving, and I so love that about you.

Wow, what a beautiful area I live in !

A lovely Easter walk from Waverton to North Sydney along the water, exploring hidden reserves. Gorgeous.

Home rennovations - a taste

My room and balcony

Bed off the frame for Mackie who's getting old.  I may reconsider if I get a girlfriend :)

Notice my wonderful ergonomic chair. I love it.

Floor with the rug taken up.

I replaced superfluous hanging space in one half of my cupboard with box cubicles. At last, my storage issues are solved:)

I'm very proud of the white steps - built from scratch. I also made the wooden railing on the balcony wall to cover ugly metal. My favourite motto when doing woodwork: Measure twice, cut once.  

The balcony has made such a difference to me. I lie on my deckchair every day and meditate, amongst the plants.  And I gaze onto it from my desk.

I'm in love with plants.  They have a massive impact on my mood and creativity. A lot of very hardy succulents, especially on the balcony.

The Buddha statue had a flashing light in his lap. I soon demolished that!  Now he's got a succulent there which I'm sure he prefers.

Back courtyard

It's been great to transform this space.  All woodwork (raised beds and hanging gardens) made from scratch. 

The herb and veggie garden (bottom right) is doing well; great for cooking.  

Front courtyard

Some whimsical metal statues which I love.

Courtyards Before